BACK to THE 1850’s...

In 1835, the Fort Dodge area was scouted by Dragoons (mounted infantry), Daniel Boone’s youngest son - Nathaniel Boone, and under the leadership of Lt. Col. Stephan Watts Kearny, to choose the perfect spot for a military outpost. The site chosen was where the Des Moines river and Lizard Creek joined.

In 1850, construction of the fort began under the supervision of Lewis A. Armistad. William Williams, storekeeper or “sutler” for the fort, later acquired the property and used it as a starting point to plot out the town of Fort Dodge.

Now, nearly two centuries later, we remember the Fort's history with our replica (Fort Williams) stockade and our frontier village, featuring original buildings from the mid-1800’s to the mid-1900’s, including the one room Border Plains schoolhouse, and an original 1855 log cabin home - the Carlson-Ritchey log cabin. 

Travel back in time and join us in celebrating our town's frontier heritage. We are a non-profit museum and work hard to keep our museum interesting and educational. To help us in making history come alive, please consider supporting us.